Surgical Stapler Firing Circuit for Pulsed Cutting Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers lack efficient and precise control mechanisms for the firing process, particularly in terms of motorized operation and pulsating firing strokes, which can lead to inconsistent tissue cutting and stapling performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a firing circuit and control algorithm that utilizes various circuits and components, including RC circuits, transistors, timers, and operational amplifiers, to regulate the motorized firing beam's movement, enabling pulsating and continuous modes for precise tissue cutting and stapling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a continuous firing mode is used in surgical staplers, then the cutting and stapling operation can be completed quickly, but it causes increased tissue trauma and reduced precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing a pulsating firing mode where the firing circuit operates in intermittent pulses rather than continuously. The control algorithm generates a sequence of firing pulses with specific duty cycles and intervals, allowing the cutting edge to advance in controlled bursts. This periodic operation reduces continuous mechanical stress on tissue while maintaining cutting effectiveness, directly addressing the contradiction between operational speed and tissue trauma.
2Device complexity
If a simple firing circuit is used in surgical staplers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the precision and effectiveness of tissue cutting and stapling operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control mechanisms with an electronic firing circuit and control algorithm. Instead of using multiple mechanical switches, levers, and linkages to control the firing sequence, the invention uses electronic pulse generation and timing circuits. This substitution achieves precise control over the pulsating firing pattern while actually reducing overall device complexity by eliminating cumbersome mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by allowing dynamic adjustment of firing circuit parameters such as pulse width, pulse frequency, and duty cycle through the control algorithm. These parameter variations enable optimization of the pulsating firing pattern for different tissue types and surgical conditions, achieving high precision in tissue cutting and stapling while maintaining a relatively simple circuit architecture.
3Productivity
If the cutting edge moves continuously in surgical staplers, then the operation efficiency is improved, but the control precision and tissue damage control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action in the cutting edge movement by controlling the motor that drives the cutting edge to operate in pulsating intervals rather than continuous motion. The control algorithm generates timed pulses that advance the cutting edge in discrete steps with controlled pauses, enabling precise position control while maintaining operational efficiency. This pulsating movement pattern allows the system to achieve both high productivity and precise positioning control.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes a body having a firing actuator, a shaft, a motor, an end effector, and a control circuit. The motor is configured to activate in response to a firing actuation of the firing actuator. The end effector is operable to staple and sever tissue and includes a cutting edge configured to selectively translate longitudinally between a proximal position and a distal position in response to an activation of the motor. The control circuit is configured to generate a forward motor control signal to pulsate the cutting edge. The forward motor control signal includes a first time duration including movement of the cutting edge distally from the proximal position to a second longitudinal position, a second time duration including ceased movement of the cutting edge, and a third time duration including movement of the cutting edge distally from the second longitudinal position toward the distal position.